Today's Opinions

Dear Congressman John Spratt: My wife and I are fairly new residents of Fort Mill. We moved here, as many have done, due to out-of-control rising home prices, taxes and cost of living expenses in the northeastern United States.

In these times of staggering unemployment and home foreclosures people are hurting in ways they never thought possible even a few short years ago. Many of us in this community have stepped forward to offer help to those who need it most.

The very first lesson they teach you in medical school is “Primum non nocere.” The English translation of the Latin phrase is, “First, do no harm.”

This thought process can be applied to our impending health-care reform that had once appeared to be on the fast track and being slipped by the American public in the form of H.R. 3200. The health-care system needs to be changed, but to what and at what expense to future generations?

If we are going to change our health-care delivery system, let us make sure that we “first, do no harm.”

There is always someone who will play a positive role in your life. Judge Debra Dawkins is that someone for me. I first met her when she taught Headstart at Southside School. She sort of struck me as a go-getter.

Judge Dawkins could knock you down and then lift you up at the same time. When I felt like throwing in the towel, she was there with her wisdom and encouragement.

In November 2010, South Carolina voters will once again go to the polls to choose our leaders. There will be races for U.S. Senate, governor, Congress and state constitutional offices, as well as county council and school board positions. But in many towns and cities across the state, municipal elections will be held this year, and men and women who aspire to public service are already shaking hands, putting up signs and developing campaign literature. While these races are not as high profile as the 2010 races, they are important nonetheless.